Central retinal artery occlusion: a stroke of the eye

Abstract

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), like a stroke in the brain, is a critical eye condition that requiring urgent medical attention. Patients with CRAO present with acute loss of vision and the visual prognosis is poor with low chance of spontaneous visual recovery. Moreover, the risk of developing ischaemic heart disease and cerebral stroke is increased due to the presence of underlying atherosclerotic risk factors. Currently, there is no officially recommended treatment for CRAO. This review will describe the anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical features of CRAO, as well as exploring existing and potential future approaches for managing the condition.

Prevalence and Distribution of Macular Fluid with Central Retinal Artery Occlusion and Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy [Response to Letter]

“…We would like to point out that CRAO has different grades and may evolve over time. 4 For example, paracentral acute middle maculopathy with INL infarcts and without GCL involvement may present as greyish-white lesions within the macula and can be the sole presentation in milder cases of CRAO. 5 That is why we believe that not all cases of CRAO involve cloudy swelling of the GCL (although the case depicted in our article had full-blown CRAO and did indeed show cloudy swelling).…”